Resistance is futile!

Ok, I posted in the newbie section of the forum some 4 days ago "possibly-another-one-fold" and now have to say "definitely another one to the Ducati fold"..

Took a test ride on a MTS yesterday morning, originally planned for Friday but the opportunity came up to take the bike out earlier and the weather was good as well, so the gods were on my side!

After arriving at around 9.30 Tuesday morning and the sun finally shining through the gloom I picked out my steed waiting for me in the reception part of the showroom. A lovely sight in shiny red, awaiting my arse planting on its comfy seat! After the formalities with paperwork out of the way, John (a fantastic no bull shit type of guy) handed me the keys and went through the start up, change modes instructions.

Finally after selecting 'urban' mode and snicking into first i was away. My first initial thoughts after a blast down the road was what a m*ther f*cking bike.......WOW. A sensory overload washed over me and it was hard to actually pinpoint what i liked about the bike - basically it was a sum of all its parts that make one helluva bike - I was grinning from ear to ear after leaving the outskirts of Lincoln, the bike finally unshackled and able to release its full potential, after selecting touring mode and then sport mode, I was laughing out loud like a giddy kid on christmas day - geez what a bike!

The A158 to Skegness provides a great test for many bikes, fast open sweeping bends, tight 90 degree turns, poor road surfaces and nice pristine freshly laid tarmac. The bike and i loved them all.
Overtakes on this bike are not a problem at all, the wide bars inspire true confidence and the bike held its line over some pretty shitty road surfaces, not a twitch from the rear. After diving into a corner a little to enthusiastically the brakes were able to pull me back on track and the lean was incredible, scraping my boots in the process...oooops!

Gearbox was impeccable, no false neutrals at all but then again I do change gear quite aggressively so maybe the bike suits me rather than the other way round. The suspension although good, could have done with a bit more stiffening up front - nothing a little adjustment would take care of.

The seat and riding position are one of the things that really struck me as being perfect. My bum after 2 hours of riding was neither numb or sore, the screen gave adequate protection, not perfect but a damn sight better than the GS or the TEX imho. Low position worked best for me, up to 85 it wasn't an issue at all, over a ton and up to 110 it began to buffet me more.

And the power, jeez incredible, outstanding, awe inspiring, believe the hype truly jaw dropping - words fail me! The engine modes really work, thought just a gimmick but they really work, did i say they really work...:biggrin:

So after 2 glorious hours and having to finally return the bike home to John at Italia moto in Lincoln, I was captured under its spell, I had to have one of these machines in my life, somehow! I sat calmly down in my seat and looked across to John and said "you f*cking b*stard". We both laughed and he then said "so which one will it be?". He had won, no question about it.

An hour later I had confirmed pick up of the red MTS ABS he had in the showroom, for this Saturday - the deal now done I can sit back and count the hours until I pick up what is likely to be the best ever motorbike I will ever own or ride and I feel very lucky!

Pictures will follow........TBC.........

Neil.